Nature conservation

Nature conservation benefits wildlife, people and the environment and has been identified as a priority for Rushcliffe residents.

Information on listed buildings, conservation areas, tree preservation orders and tree planting schemes is given on the heritage and conservation page.

Nature in Rushcliffe‎

Rushcliffe is largely rural, with a diverse landscape. Fragments of wildlife-rich habitats are found within the farmed landscape, woodland areas, ponds, the Grantham Canal and small pockets of species-rich grassland.

Rushcliffe is an important area for some species of plants and animals: black poplar, barn owls, water voles and great crested newts are found in Rushcliffe, but are rare in most of Nottinghamshire. Otters are recolonising Rushcliffe's watercourses.

The "Nottinghamshire Local Wildlife Site Handbook", sets out the processes and criteria used to designated Local Wildlife Sites (LWS) in Nottinghamshire, this is produced by ‌Nottinghamshire Biological and Geological Record Centre‌. Please contact them for further details of the criteria for LWS and to report sitings of rare species.

Nature Conservation Strategy

To help protect and enhance the nature of Rushcliffe, a Nature Conservation Strategy has been adopted by the council and partners, you can download the strategy in the documents box to the right; the latest version was agreed in 2015.

This strategy contains policies covering the range of habitats found in Rushcliffe, including Trees and Woodlands. Further details on trees and woodlands can also be found on Trees in Rushcliffe.

Strategy documents including the latest annual report are also available on our Dropbox library.

Biodiversity

Biodiversity is the variety of plant and animal life in the world

Biodiversity Opportunities in Rushcliffe identified

A report identifying the opportunities to enhance the biodiversity of Rushcliffe has recently been produced by the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group partnership, with funding from Rushcliffe Borough Council. The report includes a series of maps that indicating how habitats within the borough are currently connected together and identifies opportunities that are present to help to enhance existing sites and to increase habitat connectivity.

This is the result of two and a half years hard work by the partnership that has involved stakeholders from across the Rushcliffe area. The Rushcliffe BOM report is available online.

Nottinghamshire local biodiversity action plan

Rushcliffe Borough Council is a member of the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Group, which seeks to protect and enhance wildlife in Nottinghamshire through the delivery of the Nottinghamshire Biodiversity Action Plan.

The Plan sets priorities and objectives to prevent the loss of further wild species and habitats. Rushcliffe nature conservation strategy works to support this action.

Getting Involved

You can get involved in helping to support nature conservation work in Rushcliffe.

Local people manage most nature reserves. Local volunteers are also active in a range of other activities from organising wildlife walks, talks and open days, to monitoring planning applications and surveying for wildlife. Find out how you can volunteer by visiting: